The reconstruction neighborhood around Kennedydamm, north of downtown Düsseldorf, is to be renewed and intensified. The competition for a new high-rise complex in this neighborhood was won last week by UNStudio. A new bicycle and walking bridge over the six-lane Kennedydamm puts the firm in charge of organizing the requested facilities over multiple levels.
The area around Kennedydamm was previously characterized by modernist office buildings that stood free in the urban space. In the densification process that the area is now undergoing, the existing buildings are being renovated where possible, yet regularly replaced entirely. The competition site features a ten-story modernist office building. In UNStudio's design, this building will be replaced by an office tower three times its height. In addition to this 120-meter-high office tower, the firm also designed a residential tower.
Part of the task was to create space for facilities for the users, residents and neighbors. So also for the neighborhood. A somewhat clumsy, temporary bicycle and pedestrian bridge currently runs across the six-lane Kennedydamm. In UNStudio's design, this is replaced by an elegant bicycle and pedestrian bridge, and this elevated route is used to organize the facilities at the bottom of the high-rise complex over two layers: a branch of the pedestrian bridge continues over the buildings. Between the office tower and the residential tower, UNStudio has also designed a separate five-story facilities building.
Densification and greening
Because of the stacking of facilities and the office and residential program above, space remains in the center of the planning area for a park with several trees. In UNStudio's design, this greenery is continued in the buildings, with plants on the balconies and ivy growing up along the facades.
Regarding the sustainability of the project, UNStudio talks about an efficient support structure that has a 34% smaller CO2 load than a regular support structure. PV panels are integrated into the facade and on the roof. The prefabricated facade panels are easy to disassemble in the future, the materials in them can then be reused. Furthermore, a thermal energy storage system is provided. This is supplemented by district heating. Furthermore, UNStudio emphasizes that in the design much attention has been paid to the supply of fresh air, something that has received more attention again since the covid pandemic.
Chosen from ten entries
The entries for this Düsseldorf location were evaluated by a combination of independent experts and representatives of the municipality and developer. From ten entries, UNStudio's design was chosen as the favorite in two rounds.
In the competition, Hadi Teherani Architects, HPP Architekten and Ingenhoven Associates finished in shared second place with their designs. 3XN, BIG Bjarke Ingels Group, Büro Ole Scheeren, C.F. Møller Architects, David Chipperfield Architects and MVRDV dropped out earlier with their designs.
